The Pan American Taekwondo Union recognizes the outstanding performance of the Pan American referees who represented the region at the 2026 Australia Open, one of the most important international events on the WT calendar.
After a long journey across the Pacific to reach Oceania, referees Maryam Jouzi (USA), Caroline Inay-Park (USA), Mickael Cruz (PUR), Araceli Ornelas Caballero (MEX), and Sandy Mendieta (MEX) performed outstandingly, demonstrating professionalism, preparedness, and a commitment to the highest standards of international refereeing.
In recognition of their excellence during the competition, two representatives from the Americas were honored with the event’s top refereeing awards:
Best Male Referee: Mickael Cruz (Puerto Rico)
Best Female Referee: Araceli Ornelas Caballero (Mexico)
These awards reflect the effort, dedication, and level of excellence that characterize the region’s technical officials, who continue to uphold the reputation of Pan American refereeing on the international stage.
